I just picked up a 1997 4Runner SR5 in need of some love a few weeks ago and could use some guidance about how to put this thing together. It has a V6, automatic and 4wd. I just changed both diff fluids, transmission fluid, oil, plugs, wires, filter...etc. A quick tune up. It has about 122k miles

This is going to be my daily driver as well so I don't want to go too far from my 20mpg baseline. At least not for a few years. This being said what do you guys recommend? I was thinking coilovers to give it about a 2" lift, 32 inch tires and a custom bumper to mount up my Warn M6000 I have in my garage. I do light wheeling and take trips to the nearby mountains, but don't need a serious rock crawler (had that with my 72 scout and it was nothing but a headach). Any input is appreciated!

Pics? Hahaha.

From what your looking for a 2" lift with a 32" tire seems pretty good. Depending on which tire you pick you should be able to stay close to that mpg goal. As far as what to lift with, it's pretty much whatever you what. A full coilover (icon, Camburg, whatever) will be the most expensive but will ride like a dream. It was a little rich for my blood so I went with the Tundra/LC lift and I loved the way it rode. Easily the best riding lifted SUV I have been in. Oh, check out the lift sticky if you haven't. It's a wealth of information.

If you can afford the coilovers i say go for them. If you ever want bigger tires you can always crank the front up snd get different rear springs or spacers. I wish i would have been able to get c/o's to start in case i ever want to change things down the road. Toytec has decent ones from what i hear.

Sorry but I can't figure out the photo upload thing to save my life. It's light blue and has definitely seen better days.

I'm thinking coilovers are going to be the way to go because once I'm done using it as a daily driver I'm going to max out the lift and throw 33's under it.

I think the next step is tires...any recommendations for a good tire for light off roading that won't throw off my mpg too much? I was thinking the General Grabber might be a good way to go, but I'm open to suggestions.

Get a Flickr or photobucket account, it's free. Then you upload there, grab the image code (be sure to size pics down a bit) and paste the image code here. Easier than uploading them directly here.

I agree that 32s sound like a good way to go. They don't come with any headaches like 33s can. Duratracs are a good compromise on/offroad tire. Or I have heard good things about Yokohama geolander a/t and nitto terra grapplers, those are slightly less aggressive than duratracs.

Oh and welcome!

I have stock size Geolanders (10K miles so far on them) and they're really good.

Thanks for the input guys! I'll keep posting as I have the time and cash to make those subtle improvements on the 4runner. Also if this works I should have some pictures of it up...nothing big. Just a mostly stock vehicle with a close up of the new rotors I threw on.

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Looks like a beauty! I'd agree with either geolander at or toyo at tires. If you really don't wanna see a hit on the mpg side of things those are safe. Duratracs are the next logical step while keeping the mods at the high end. Once you go with a mud tire you can kiss 1-2mpg away but they're fun

Ive heard that the KM2s' offer the most aggressive tread for the least significant fuel loss. But thats just hearsay, there still gonna hurt mpg. Nice truck! I really like that color